What's frightening about this comic from the 1980s is that there is still all that hate going on. One bright spot: there is now peace in Northern Ireland.
I like to think of myself as an intelligent person. And someone who wants to stay informed about what's going on in the world. But there's a feeling of helplessness that comes from reading all this stuff and wondering "what can I do about it?" And that can really trigger depression. There have been times when I even had to avoid even certain types of entertainment because it was too overwhelming.
I know that it's not only people with depression who have these feelings. Anyone who consumes a lot of media can sometimes feel overwhelmed by world events.
That's when a dandelion break becomes necessary.
It's possible that the media contributes to this feeling that the world sucks. There's a phenomenon called Mean World Syndrome, which suggests that the overconsumption of violent images leads to believing that the world is a more dangerous place than it really is. These studies go back far enough to show the differences when communities that previously didn't have television got it.
While I was looking this up, Google started to argue with me about whether the world is currently a more violent place or a less violent place. I'm serious. Fifty percent of the articles that came up when I typed in "the world is a violent place" said yes, it is, and the other fifty percent said, no, it's getting better.
No one can solve all the world's problems. Even the Leader of the Free World, whether Republican or Democrat.
I started my never-ending degree in Environmental Studies because I wanted to try and make some kind of difference in the world. I have participated in local protests, signed petitions, contributed to politicians that I think believe in the things that I believe in. I have tried (not always successfully) to change personal behaviors to reduce my environmental footprint and to encourage others to do the same.
There have been people who, through their actions, changed the world. But they didn't do it alone. I don't think I'm Gandhi or Rachel Carson, but maybe I'm one little person who can do some little things and make a small positive difference in the lives of a few people. Or, who knows, maybe be part of a rising tide that saves a lot of people.
Writing this, I'm suddenly remembering that I am one of those people, and that the best person to save me is myself. In AA they quote the airline emergency information: "Make sure to secure your oxygen mask before assisting others."
If you are in a crisis or in recovery from one, take care of yourself first. Ignore the news. It will still be there tomorrow. Take a dandelion break.
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